THURSDAY, AUGUST 8th 2024 ACCOR STADIUM SYDNEY
Rabbitohs Face Crucial Challenge Against Ladder-Leading Storm
With five games remaining and sitting three games outside the top eight, the Rabbitohs are on the verge of missing the finals for the second consecutive season. Their challenge intensifies with an upcoming match against the ladder-leading Melbourne Storm.
Storm Look to Bounce Back After Surprising Loss to Dragons
After a surprising loss to the Dragons in Round 22, the Storm’s lead over second-placed Penrith has been reduced to just two points, setting the stage for a tight race to the minor premiership.
Craig Bellamy Seeks Strong Performance After Home Defeat
After last week’s 18-16 home defeat by the Dragons, Craig Bellamy will undoubtedly be seeking a strong performance from his men this week.
Storm Poised to Maintain Dominance with Key Players in Form
The loss may be the wake-up call the Storm needed, as they’re now only two points clear of Penrith in the race for the minor premiership. With Walker returning for the Rabbitohs, it sets up an exciting match-up against Jahrome Hughes, who is in career-best form and a leading contender for the Dally M Medal.
Couple that with Harry Grant finding peak form, scoring two tries last week, and Cameron Munster returning strongly from injury, and the Storm are well poised to continue their recent head-to-head dominance over the Rabbitohs. They’ve won nine of the past 11 games played between the two sides.
Storm Line-up
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Trent Loiero 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Lazarus Vaalepu 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Kane Bradley 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell
A heavyweight showdown with the Panthers awaits in Round 24, but before then, the Storm will aim to get back on track against a Rabbitohs side playing solely for pride after a season marred by injury and suspension.
Rabbitohs Struggling with Injuries and Form Issues
The absence of Walker from the Rabbitohs’ attack was evident last week, as the Sharks held them to just six points. His creativity will be crucial if they are to improve against the Storm, who have the fourth-best defensive record in the competition. Nevertheless, the Storm have shown they’re vulnerable if teams can stick with them for the full 80 minutes, like the Dragons last week. To pull off an upset, the Rabbitohs will need to throw caution to the wind, bring some unpredictability, and maintain pressure on the Storm. They have nothing to lose, but whether they can execute this approach on the day remains to be seen.
Rabbitohs stars Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, and Jai Arrow have all missed significant game time, while star centre Campbell Graham’s sternum injury has side-lined him for the entire season.
Rabbitohs Line-up
1. Jye Gray 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Shaquai Mitchell 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Brock Gray 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Leon Te Hau
Referee, Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
Key Statistics and Trends
When the two sides met on Anzac Day, the Storm dominated with a 54-20 victory. The Rabbitohs will need all the pride and passion they can muster to avoid a 13th loss for the season.
The Rabbitohs have won their last three games at Accor Stadium.
The Storm have won nine of their past 11 games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs lock Keaon Koloamatangi has scored four tries in his past three games at Accor Stadium.
Storm winger Grant Anderson has scored five tries in his past four games.
The Rabbitohs have lost all five games against top-four opposition in 2024.
Prediction.
I will go with the Storm here. They seldom lose two games in a row and will want the Minor Premiership Title.
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